PeatFor - Management of peatland forests for climate and biodiversity University of Dublin, Trinity College in Ireland

PeatFor Project – Management of peatland forests for climate and biodiversity

In pristine or undrained conditions peatland are long-term sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) and sources of methane. Drainage and consequent lowering of the water table reverses this and converts peatlands to CO ₂ sources. In peatland forests, carbon uptake by the trees can compensate for this loss, but understanding of the ecosystems, and soil carbon balance, across peat and forest types is limited. In addition, the impact alternative management strategies, such as rewetting and mixed species woodland, on the carbon balance and ecosystem services is limited.

PeatFor is co-ordinated by Prof. Ken Byrne (University of Limerick) with project partners Dr. Matt Saunders & Dr. John Connolly (Trinity College Dublin), Dr. Brian Tobin (University College Dublin) and Dr. Junliang Zou (Teagasc). PeatFor will investigate carbon cycling in peatland forests using eddy covariance and chamber techniques, biogeochemical models as well as soil sampling and analysis. It will assess the impact of management options for peatlands, such as rewetting and altered forest management, on climate and biodiversity. PeatFor will inform forest and climate policy on the role of forests in climate mitigation and the provision of ecosystem services. PeatFor is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) in Ireland.

PeatFor is seeking applications for a PhD Scholarship, as follows:

Peat and forest carbon balance on organo-mineral site types. This PhD scholarship will evaluate impacts of yield class, peat depth, drainage/moisture status and climatic factors on coupled CO ₂ and trace gas emissions. This work will also involve chamber measurements of CO ₂ and CH ₄ from both soil and trees to eventually calculate emission factors. This PhD will work particularly closely with other PhDs in the same project based in University of Limerick and in Trinity College Dublin. This PhD will be based at University College Dublin, with Dr. Brian Tobin as the primary supervisor and Prof. Ken Byrne, Dr. Matt Saunders, and Dr. Junliang Zou as co-supervisors. Applications for this PhD scholarship should be sent to: [email protected]

In this scholarship, support will also be required for reporting to the funding agency, DAFM, participation in the preparation of publications, and presentation of research at scientific meetings, as required by the senior researchers on the project. There will be shared research sites between project partners and tasks and collaboration will be encouraged. The scholarship will have a significant requirement for field-based research so it is necessary for candidates to have a full EU driving license. Evidence of teamwork would be an advantage.

Applications are sought from highly motivated individuals with a primary or master’s level degree in forestry, soil science, environmental science, natural resource management, geography, environmental engineering or cogent disciplines.

The study will commence as soon as possible. Each scholarship will be €25,000 per annum for four years. EU fees are funded to a maximum of €6,000 per annum.

Applicants should submit, by email, a letter outlining why they are interested in the research topic, their suitability for the position, a full curriculum vitae (including the names, addresses and emails of two referees) to Dr Brian Tobin ( [email protected] ). Please also indicate where you first saw this post advertised.